Christopher Columbus (miniseries)

Christopher Columbus is a television miniseries broadcast in Italy and the United States in 1985. In six hours, the series told the story of the life of Christopher Columbus, with Gabriel Byrne starring as the explorer.

Production
The series was a co-production between Radiotelevisione italiana and Lorimar Television, with other European partners. Columbus expert Paolo Emilio Taviani worked as a historical consultant. Shooting took place in Malta, Spain and the Dominican Republic over a period of 26 weeks, with six months of post-production in London. The New York Times reported the series' total cost as $15 million.

Cast

 * Gabriel Byrne as Christopher Columbus
 * Rossano Brazzi as Diogo Ortiz de Villegas
 * Virna Lisi as Dona Moniz Perestrello
 * Oliver Reed as Martin Pinzon
 * Raf Vallone as Joseph Vecinho
 * Max von Sydow as John II of Portugal
 * Eli Wallach as Hernando de Talavera
 * Nicol Williamson as Ferdinand II of Aragon
 * Faye Dunaway as Isabella I of Castile
 * Michel Auclair as Luis de Santángel
 * William Berger as Francisco de Bobadilla
 * Keith Buckley as De Torres
 * Mark Buffery as Bartholomew Columbus
 * Anne Canovas as Beatriz Enriquez
 * Elpidia Carrillo as Coana
 * Massimo Girotti as Duke of Medinaceli
 * Larry Lamb as Don Castillo
 * Stefano Madia as Federico
 * Audrey Matson as Dona Felipa Perestrello
 * Murray Melvin as Padre Linares
 * Jack Watson as Padre Marchena
 * Patrick Bauchau as Don Rodrigo
 * Salvatore Borgese as Juan
 * Scott Coffey as Vallejo
 * Cyrus Elias as Alaminos
 * Francesco Lattuada as De Triana
 * Iris Peynado as Selina
 * Erik Schumann as Benguela
 * Gregory Snegoff as Francisco Pinzon
 * Hal Yamanouchi as Guacanabo

Reception
John J. O'Connor, reviewing for The New York Times, praised the series' period look and Byrne's performance in the title role, though he felt that the first half was stronger dramatically than the second.

Awards
The series was nominated for two Emmy Awards, for best art direction and costume design for a miniseries.